Commission To Launch Search For Airport Project Supervisors

April 23, 1985|By Fred Lowery, Transportation Writer

With the design for Palm Beach International Airport`s new $157 million terminal about halfway completed, county commissioners are scheduled to launch a search today for a team of experts to ensure it is built correctly.

Just what that team`s role will be, however, is still to be decided, according to airports Development Director Ken Jacobson.

``We are not to the point in design development to say what hardware will go exactly where,`` he said, ``but once that is done and we go into the construction phase, the idea is to have someone to assure everything goes where it is supposed to go.``

Because there are separate schools of thought on whether it`s better to have a construction manager to control the actual construction of the terminal, or a project manager to work with the county in controlling construction, Jacobson said commissioners are looking for a choice.

Firms specializing in both areas will be asked to submit proposals, he said, and commissioners will interview and select from two finalists in each category.

``There are really advantages and disadvantages to both types,`` Jacobson said.

A construction manager, he explained, would be responsible as prime contractor to obtain materials, hire subcontractors and see to it the building was built, often under a contract with a maximum ``not to exceed`` price.

Should commissioners decide on a firm to act as project manager, Jacobson said, it would act more as ``an extension to the staff,`` assisting with everything from development of bid specifications to monitoring construction by a contractor hired by the county to do the job.